All good responses....great info!.I also noticed on the FI 2012 I was looking at,on the right side of the case (rear brake side) what looked to be a "plug" where a kick starter use to be installed ( back years ago when bikes had such things?).Anyone ever dig inside the case to see if it is possible to put a kicker on these?.....the 2009 TW200 I have has this option.( Bay Area Yamaha in Oregon.....$200.00 shipped). TIA

All good responses....great info!.I also noticed on the FI 2012 I was looking at,on the right side of the case (rear brake side) what looked to be a "plug" where a kick starter use to be installed ( back years ago when bikes had such things?).Anyone ever dig inside the case to see if it is possible to put a kicker on these?.....the 2009 TW200 I have has this option.( Bay Area Yamaha in Oregon.....$200.00 shipped). TIA

I looked into this, briefly, on my 2009. There is a "boss" there, but it's not actually machined out all of the way. I've fairly certain that the 2012s are the same way. I have a feeling that it might be possible to retrofit a TW kick start kit to the XT, but it would, at least, require some machining to get the case bored out to accept the seal and shaft.

I think the 2013 is the FI model. I have the 2012 model and it's got a carb.

For issues, the only thing I think I'd like to change is the seat height. I'd like it to be an inch higher so I may either upgrade the suspension sometime this year. Other than that, I think it's very good for what it is. A decent starter bike. Eventually, I will probably sell it and buy something more powerful such as a DRZ400 or WR250R.

I think the 2013 is the FI model. I have the 2012 model and it's got a carb.

For issues, the only thing I think I'd like to change is the seat height. I'd like it to be an inch higher so I may either upgrade the suspension sometime this year. Other than that, I think it's very good for what it is. A decent starter bike. Eventually, I will probably sell it and buy something more powerful such as a DRZ400 or WR250R.

For seat height you can do this, cheap and easy.

Coleman/Stearns ATV seat cover, available for around 20 bucks at Walmart or online (amazon/ebay)

Yes, but i am only 5'9 with a 30 inch inseam, on the road it is fine, i can have both feet down (toes only), looking into maybe lowering it by an inch or so, i still manage fine off road, but would like to be able to flat foot the bike for sure like i used to be able to with the xt.

Hello guys, I am going to Silverton, Colorado in July and riding several loops around the area, i need to know what type of changes if any do I have to do with jetting? I currently have a 140 main jet size when riding in 8,000-12,000 ft do I need to go to a smaller jet? If so what size? I was told that for the short time that i would be there that it wouldn't be necessary to change the jetting. Anyone that has any experience riding in this elevation with an xt 250 that has a carb please let me know. Thank you

I lowered the Dr when I bought it in 97 new by screwing out on the rear shock preloaded spring. It makes it too soft off road.
It needs a suspension upgrade. The Dr seat is a couple inches higher than the stock xt seat. we are both short people.

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I'd rather be lost in the woods, than found at home.

Yes, but i am only 5'9 with a 30 inch inseam, on the road it is fine, i can have both feet down (toes only), looking into maybe lowering it by an inch or so, i still manage fine off road, but would like to be able to flat foot the bike for sure like i used to be able to with the xt.

I bought one of those seat pads from Walmart. I didn't like how it mounted but ran across your thread over at xt225.com and used paracord and it worked fine. Took it for a trail ride and liked the change.

Around here you ride in the mud. I couldn't image riding a bike that I couldn't flat foot on the trail. It's the difference between spending a lot of time picking the bike up or managing it through the slick stuff.

While I lust after bikes like the DRZ for their power, I can't talk myself out of the XT because it keeps me from breaking stuff like legs and hips...

Hello guys, I am going to Silverton, Colorado in July and riding several loops around the area, i need to know what type of changes if any do I have to do with jetting? I currently have a 140 main jet size when riding in 8,000-12,000 ft do I need to go to a smaller jet? If so what size? I was told that for the short time that i would be there that it wouldn't be necessary to change the jetting. Anyone that has any experience riding in this elevation with an xt 250 that has a carb please let me know. Thank you

Doesn't look like you're gonna get an answer here, maybe post up a thread in the Rockies Forum?

I live at 7700 ft and ride up to about 10k regularly. I jetted the main down 2 sizes from stock, which is a 135 IIRC, so that means I have a 130. My local yamaha dealer had jets. Plus I flip the air filter cover to flow more air. My plug is still a little black. I can feel a big difference between having having the airbox open and closed even with the 130 jet. BTW, I have stock exhaust. If you try to ride at 10-12k with a 140 you will run terribly rich. You could probably get away with it if you just open up the airbox by flipping the cover, but you will lack any kind of top end on the highway. If you have a pipe you will want to be a little richer than me of course.

I assume you have richened your pilot too. That's easy enough to adjust. I have stock pilot jet with screw at 2 turns. It starts easy. Or at the very least you could just bump your idle speed up to compensate for the rich idle as you gain elevation. It will probably not want to idle at all the way you are set up now. -al

I have an '81 that's been a long-term project. Finally, after several years and too much money, it's about to lurch its way into the sun light. I need to replace various cables and clean up a few bits, but she's a cool old-school dual sport. I've been stymied for a rear shock. The KYB on the back is long gone, and I don't want to pay $500 for a shock on a bike that might be worth a grand on a very good day. Anyone have any suggestions?